tihrary  of trhe  theological  ^^mxnavy 

PRINXETON    .    NEW  JERSEY 
PRESENTED  BY 


A.    G.    Cameron,    Ph.D. 
5.18.11 


^:>61 


THE  PARTING  COMMENDATION.. 


A  FAREWELL  SERMON 

PBEACHED  Ii\  THE  FIRST  PRESBYTERLW  CULRCIt 

AT  PRINCETON,  N.  J. 

AprU  4tli,  \m. 


/ 
BY  WILLIAM  EDWARD 'SCHENCK, 

LATELY  PASTOR   OF  THAT   CHURCH. 


}pri!Ucton,  3)T.  1. 

1852. 


The  following  discourse  is  published  at  the  earnest  request  of  a  number 
of  the  ladies  of  the  writer's  charge.  He  is  fully  sensible  that  this  request 
was  owing,  not  to  any  merit  in  the  discourse,  but  wholly  to  the  circum" 
stances  of  peculiar  interest  in  which  it  was  delivered.  It  was  prepared 
in  much  haste,  and  when  he  was  unusually  pressed  by  a  multiplicity  of 
anxieties  and  labors.  It  might  therefore  have  been  refused  but  for  his 
earnest  desire  to  leave  nothing  undone  which  might  either  gratify  or 
profit  that  beloved  flock  from  which  he  has  parted  with  profoundest 
regret.  That  God  may  bless  it  to  them,  and  that  He  may  more  and  more 
abundantly  bless  them  and  theirs  forever,  will  ever  be  the  writer's  earnest 
prayer. 


MJDira. 


Acts  XX :  32.  And  now,  brethren,  I  commend  you  to  God,  and  to  the 
■vrord  of  his  grace,  which  is  able  to  build  you  up,  and  to  give  you  an  in- 
heritance among  all  them  which  are  sanctified. 

The  early  history  of  the  Christian  church  was  writ- 
ten upon  the  inspired  page  for  our  learning.  It  was 
placed  there,  not  simply  for  our  mformation  concern- 
ing the  progress  of  events  as  they  occurred  in  the 
establishment  of  the  church,  but  that  we  might  draw 
thence  lessons  for  our  profit.  And  among  other  lessons 
this  important  one,  that  the  trials  then  occurring  to 
the  people  of  God  were  the  same  substantially  as  those 
which  meet  them  now ;  that  scenes  of  sorrow  and 
separation  were  then  visible  as  now ;  and  that  there 
were  then  as  now  sources  of  support  and  consolation 
and  hope  unknown  to  an  ungodly  world,  and  diverse 
from  all  that  terrestrial  possessions  or  expectations 
could  afford.  Thus  we  may  safely  say  that  every 
historic  fact  recorded  in  the  sacred  volume  contains 
within  its  bosom  a  historic  precept  addressed  to  our- 
selves. 

Looking  therefore  at  the  history  of  the  early  church 
as  written  for  our  learning,  we  may  behold  in  the 
words  presented  in    our  text   an   inspired   example 


teaching  us  Avliat  I'celings  ought  to  ])osse8^<  our  bosoms 
in  the  peculiar  circumstances  under  which,  in  the  all- 
wise  providence  of  God,  we  are  to-day  placed.  I  look, 
my  hearers,  at  Paul,  that  hoh',  earnest,  affectionate 
preacher  of  the  Gospel  of  Christ,  and  as  I  see  him 
tearfully  and  prayerfully  bidding  adieu  to  those  among 
whom  he  had  been  engaged  in  preaching  the  salvation 
of  the  cross,  I  would  in  humljle  imitation  of  that  great 
champion  of  the  faith,  not  with  unmixed  despondency 
and  gloom,  but  with  a  firm  confidence  in  the  great 
Father  of  us  all,  and  in  the  saving  power  of  his  word, 
take  up  and  echo  in  your  hearing  these  his  words,  "  I 
commend  3'ou  to  God,  and  to  the  word  of  his  grace, 
Avhich  is  a])le  to  build  }'ou  up,  and  to  give  you  an  in- 
heritance among  all  them  which  are  sanctified." 

The  parting  interview  of  Paul  with  the  representa- 
tives of  the  Ephesian  church  was  one  of  a  most  inte- 
resting and  touching  kind.  For  about  the  space  of 
three  years  had  Paul  labored  among  the  people  of  that 
city.  The  past  was  both  to  them  and  to  him  full  of 
the  tenderest  recollections.  Many  of  the  Jews  had 
been  led  by  his  instrumentality  to  cast  away  their  in- 
credulity, and  to  embrace  the  Gospel,  wdiile  not  a  few 
of  the  idolatrous  Gentiles  had  also  been  converted  and 
gathered  into  the  Ephesian  church.  What  wonder, 
then,  if  they  loved  the  Gospel  he  had  brought  them, 
that  they  loved  its  preacher  also.  AVliat  wonder  if, 
remembering  his  evangelic  works  and  words  among 
them,  the  prospect  of  a  final  separation  led  them  to 
lall  upon  his  neck,  weeping  sore,  and  kissing  him  with 
the  gushings  of  a  gouuine  and  irrepressible  affection. 


And  when  they  turned  their  eyes  from  the  past  to 
the  future,  there  was  much  before  them  to  increase 
their  pain  at  Paul's  departure.     The  little  company 
of  Ephesian  believers  were  still  surrounded  by  a  mass 
of  the  worshippers  of  Diana  from  whom  they  had  no- 
thing better  to  expect  than  open  scorn  and  bitter  per- 
secutions.    Neither  were  most  of  them  so  established 
in  the  faith,  as  that  there  was  no  longer  danger  of 
their  being  turned  aside  to  worldliness  or  false  doc- 
trines.    Paul,  looking  forward  with  more  than  a  mere 
sagacity  which  knew  the  signs  of  the  times,  and  speak- 
ing prophetic  words  under  the  influences  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  declared  that    "after  his  departing   grievous 
wolves  should  enter  in  among  them  not  sparing  the 
flock."     Nay,  he  hesitated  not  to  tell  them  that  out 
of  their  own  number  and  from  among  those  who  bare 
the  Christian  name,  should  dangers  come.     "  Of  your 
own  selves,"  said  he  plainly,  "  shall  men  arise,  speak- 
ing  perverse   things,   to    draw    away   discij^les  after 
them."     He  foresaw  clearly  that  not  all  the  care  and 
assiduity  with  which  he  had  preached  the  pure  gospel 
of  the  grace  of  God,  and  not  all  the  careful  and  affec- 
tionate guardianship  of  the  Beloved  John,  who  was 
after  this  to  spend  in  the  same  city  and  church  the 
closing  years  of  his  prolonged  life,  could  keep  out  from 
their  midst  pernicious  errors  and  ungodly  practices. 
He  foresaw  clearly  that  the  inspired  epistle  of  warn- 
ing to  be  afterwards  addressed  by  John  to  this  same 
church  in    Ephesus    would   be    unheeded,    and   that 
although  they  would  hear  God  saying  to  them  by  that 
venerable  Apostle,  "I  have  somewhat  against  thee^ 


because  thou  hast  left  thy  first  love,  .  .  .  repent 
therefore,  or  else  I  will  come  unto  thee  quickly,  and 
remove  thy  candlestick  out  of  its  place,"  yet  there 
would  follow  no  repentance,  and  their  light  should 
finally  go  out  in  darkness.  And  looking  thus  to  the 
future,  with  a  mind  illuminated  by  God's  Spirit,  what 
unutterable  grief  of  heart,  what  painful  emotions 
must  have  agitated  the  bosom  of  the  heroic  apostle  to 
the  Gentiles.  And  on  the  other  hand  what  wonder, 
as  they  heard  from  his  lips  these  warnings  of  coming 
dangers,  that  they  should  sorrow  bitterly  when  they 
heard  him  declare  that  "  they  should  see  his  face  no 
more." 

Trying  indeed  and  bitter  were  the  circumstances  of 
that  parting  scene  upon  the  seaside  at  Miletus.  But 
was  there  no  consolation  for  such  an  hour?  V[a» 
there  no  ray  of  hope  or  comfort  to  gild  the  future  ? 
Yes !  there  was  an  unfailing  support  at  hand.  There 
was  even  in  that  hour  of  gloom  an  unclouded  glory  in 
the  distance.  To  the  eye  of  sense  all  was  indeed  me- 
lancholy, dark,  and  ominous..  But  Paul  had  learned 
to  walk  by  faith  and  not  by  sight.  His  eye  of  faith 
was  able  to  pierce  the  surrounding  darkness  and  to 
perceive  in  "God  and  the  word  of  his  grace,"  a  suffi- 
cient hope,  support,  and  consolation  under  every  trial. 

AVe  find,  then,  an  example  in  Paul,  when,  in  the 
first  place,  he  commended  Ms  floch  unto  God.  For  in 
God  alone  is  perfect  safety.  We  cannot  repose  with 
perfect  confidence  upon  ourselves,  for  every  man  who 
is  in  his  right  mind  knows  painfully  well  that  he  is 
fallible.     Our  own  best  judgments  may  in  the  end 


9 

turn  out  to  be  but  folly ;  our  strongest  resolutions  be 
but  weakness ;  our  highest  purposes  be  only  the  fore- 
runners of  disappointment.  But  amidst  all  the 
changes  and  trials  of  this  changing  world,  they  who, 
by  the  teachings  of  the  blessed  Spirit  have  learned  the 
way  to  their  Heavenly  Father's  feet,  can  and  ought 
confidently  to  commend  each  other  unto  God. 

For,  in  the  first  place,  God  is  with  his  j^eople  every 
icliere.  They  may  be  separated  from  each  other,  but 
they  cannot  be  removed  from  God's  immediate  pres- 
ence. Although  continents  and  oceans  may  often  be 
interposed  between  them,  it  is  still  true  that  God  is 
"  not  far  from  every  one  of  them."  They  may  wor- 
ship in  different  assemblies,  and  in  distant  cities,  yet 
there  is  a  common  promise  to  them  all,  "  Lo !  I  am 
with  you."  The  same  God  and  Saviour  who  is  sus- 
taining and  co-operating  with  your  Christian  friend 
and  brother  in  China  or  in  India  is  also  with  you  when 
you  meet  in  this  house  and  engage  in  his  worship. 
The  same  God  Avho  by  his  providence  pxx)tects  and 
blesses  you  at  your  own  fireside,  and  who  orders  all 
things  so  happily  and  wisely  for  yourselves  in  your 
own  homes,  is  none  the  less  present  with  your  parent 
or  your  child,  your  brother  or  your  friend,  when  he 
goes  to  spend  his  days  at  ever  so  distant  a  point, 
where  all  your  cares  and  your  love  can  be  of  no  direct 
advantage  to  him.  And  in  this  omnipresence  of  God 
with  all  his  people,  there  is  a  bond  of  union  among 
them  all  which  no  earthly  mutations  can  ever  sunder. 
No  matter  where  they  ai-e,  or  what  tlie  line  of  action 
to  which  duty  calls  them;  they  are  stiil  *''  nil  one  in 
Christ  Jesus."  2 


10 

It  should  also  be  the  delight  of  Christians  to  com- 
mend each  other  unto  God,  because  he  is  all-wise.     We 
are  continually  apt  to  fall  into  mistakes.  We  are  wholly 
unable  to  look  into  the  future.     Even  it-s  probabilities 
may  be  miscalculated.     We  are  in  constant  danger  of 
acting  under  the  influence  of  prejudice  or  pride,   of 
passion  or  ambition.     Even  when  our  aims  are  right 
wo  are  in  danger  of  attempting  to  accomplish  them  by 
the  use  of  improper  means.     Oftentimes  the  things  we 
judge  to  be  hurtful,  are  the  very  best  things,  and  that 
which  we  suppose  to  be  most  desirable,  turns  out  to 
be  the  most  injurious.     But  God  sees  the  end  from 
the  beginning,  in  every  imaginable  case  and  circum- 
stance of  life.     Change  and  chance,  mistake  and  dis- 
appointment  may  befall  men,    but   can  never  befall 
God.     He  knows   fully  and   infallibly  every  danger 
that  will  arise,  and  every  temptation  that  will  beset 
each  one  among  all  his  people.    He  knows  the  results 
to  which  it  is  most  desirable  to  lead  his  people,  and 
the  best  means  by  which  to  lead  them.     He  judges 
infallibly  a  righteous  judgment,  and  amidst  all  the 
seemingly  entangled  web  of  uncertainty,  and  contra- 
diction, and  adversity,  such  is  his  wisdom  that  he  is 
able  to  make  ^'  all  things  work  together  for  good"  to 
them  that  love  him. 

But  again,  God  is  not  only  every  where  present  to 
perceive,  and  all-wise  to  discern,  he  is  also  all-iMwer- 
ful  to  accomplish  what  is  for  the  best.  We  are  weak 
and   helpless.     We   are  unable  to  supply  our   own 


11 

wants.     When  we  undertake  we  are  often  unable  to 
accomplisli.     And  especially  in  the  spiritual  life,  de- 
feat often  follows  determination,  and  the  spiritual  foes 
which  encompass  us  are  more  than  a  match  for  any 
arm  of  flesh.     But  we  are  commanded  to  trust  in  the 
Lord  Jehovah,  because  in  him   there  is  everlastino- 
strength.     He  can  never  be  disappointed,  for  what  his 
wisdom  plans,  his  power  can  carry  out  to  its  complete 
accomplishment.     Whatever  he  sees  to  be  good  for 
his  people,  even  for  the  lowliest  and  the  weakest  of 
them,  he  will  infallibly  perform.     As  he  made  the 
sun  and  moon  stand  still  while  Joshua  and  Israel 
fought  against  their  enemies,  in  order  to  give  them 
light,  even  so  would  he  now  arrest  the  movements  of 
the  rolling  worlds  sooner  than  allow  the  least  amone: 
his  children  to  suffer  a  real  injury.     Work  although 
he  may   unseen,  work  although  he    may  apparenthj 
against  them,  he  will  not  suffer   a  hair  to  fall  from 
their  heads  without  a  wise  and  benevolent  reason. 
The  very  things  which  for  the  present  are  not  joyous, 
but  most  grievous,  under  his  management,  shall  in  the 
end  work  out  the  peaceable  fruits  of  righteousness. 

With  what  hope,  with  what  confidence  may  the 
children  of  God,  then,  amidst  all  the  mutations  of  this 
changeful  world  commend  each  other  unto  such  a  God, 
whose  power  is  equal  to  his  wisdom,  and  whose  power 
and  Avisdom  working  hand  in  hand,  and  controlled  by 
infinite  love,  are  all  pledged  for  the  protection,  gui. 

dance,  and  eternal  happiness  of  all  who  truly  put  their 
trust  in  Tlim. 


12 


But  are  these  glorious  attributes  thus  pledged  ?  Has 
God  given  such  explicit  assurances  that  sinful  men 
may  confidently  trust  in  him  at  all  times  ?  This  was 
a  great  cjuestion  with  the  heathen  .world.  And  it  is 
a  question  which  a  lingering  unbelief  often  yet  starts, 
even  in  the  mind  of  a  devout  believer.  Hence  Paul 
commends  the  Ephesian  Christians,  not  only  to  God 
but  also  to  "  the  ivord  of  his  gracer  Some  have  sup- 
posed that  Paul  here  meant  the  incarnate  Word — the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ.  But  there  is  no  instance  in  which 
Paul  certainly  employed  the  term  in  this  sense,  and 
it  is  far  more  analogous  to  his  usual  phraseology  to 
regard  him  as  here  referring  to  God's  word  of  gracious 
promise. 

God  has  spoken,  and  his  words  are  gracious  words. 
He  has  spoken  in  the  covenant  of  redemption,  in 
which  he  did  not  more  surely  affirm  the  Redeemer's  title 
to  a  future  and  glorious  exaltation,  than  he  did  bind 
himself  to  be  the  Protector,  the  Father,  the  Deliverer 
and  Guide  of  all  who  by  its  ample  stipulations  were 
given  to  the  Son  that  through  faith  they  might  be- 
come heirs  of  glory.  The  Father  has  given  his  unal- 
terable pledge  to  his  well  beloved  Son  that  his  people 
shall  be  the  objects  of  his  most  especial  care.  He  has 
bound  himself  to  his  Son  to  watch  over  their  temporal 
comfort  and  safety ;  to  confer  on  them  all  needed 
grace  ;  to  make  them  conquerors  and  more  than  con, 
querors  over  every  adverse  influence  and  all  opposing 
enemies.     What   security  is   here   for  the  behever ! 


13 

God  could  not  suffer  the  very  meanest  of  tlie  Redeem- 
er's flock  to  suffer  real  injury,  without  inflicting  injury 
upon  his  own  beloved  Son.  He  could  not  suffer  one  of 
those  whom  he  has  given  to  the  Redeemer  to  perish, 
without  a  violation  of  that  sure  covenant,  the  condition 
of  which  Christ  fulfilled  in  agony  upon  the  cross.  And 
when  we  hear  the  eternal  Father  saying  of  the  Lamb 
who  was  to  make  his  soul  a  sacrifice  for  sin,  "  There- 
fore will  I  divide  him  a  portion  with  the  great,  and 
he  shall  divide  the  spoil  Avith  the  strong,  because  he 
hath  poured  out  his  soul  unto  death,  and  he  was  num- 
bered with  the  transgressors,  and  lie  bare  the  sin  of 
many" — these  words  arc  words  of  precious  grace  to 
the  believer,  for  they  teach  that  his  present  Avelfare 
and  his  final  salvation  are  pledged  to  Jesus  as  a  part 
of  the  reward  for  the  travail  of  his  soul.  And  in  com- 
mending his  Ephesian  brethren  "  to  God  and  the  word 
of  his  grace,"  he  commended  them  to  the  sure  mercies 
of  a  covenant  dependent,  as  to  their  reception  of  its 
final  blessings,  not  on  external  or  favorable  circum_ 
stances  merely,  nor  on  the  motions  of  their  own  way- 
w^ard  and  deceitful  hearts  alone,  but  dependent  on  its 
own  eternal  stipulation^/  established  by  the  sovereign 
and  almighty  grace  of  God. 

But  God's  "  word  of  grace,"  has  been  uttered  not 
only  to  the  Redeemer  for  his  people,  it  has  also  come 
down  direct  and  full  unto  themselves.  We  have 
many  "exceeding  great  and  precious  j^roviises.''  They 
are  all  based  upon  the  merits  of  the  Lord  Jesus :  they 


14 

are  all  comprehended  in  this  brief  epitome,  "  he  that 
believeth  shall  be  saved."  Starting  from  this  grand 
promise  as  inclusive  of  them  all,  we  can  find  words  of 
grace  on  every  pag^  of  Holy  Writ,  We  may  hear 
God  addressing  them  to  us  in  every  circumstance  of 
life,  to  sustain  us  amidst  all  its  trials  and  tribulations; 
to  encourage  u,s  in  the  performance  of  every  difficult 
and  self-denying  duty ;  to  comfort  us  under  the  be- 
reavements and  sorrows  of  this  life.  W-e  can  see  them 
on  every  page  pointing  us  beyond,  this  world  to  a  re- 
maining rest ;  to  a  heavenly  home ;  to  a  celestial  Je- 
rusalem ;  resplendent  in  the  distance  before  the  eye 
of  faith.  And  in  this  word  of  grace,  contained  in  the 
promises  of  the  gos^^el,  is  an  exceeding  freeness  which 
encourages  us  to  commend  all  men  to  it  for  safety  and 
support.  It  requires  and  expects  to  find  no  deserv- 
ingness  on  the  part  of  those  who  embrace  these  pro- 
mises. They  are  suited  to  the  downward,  sinful,  self- 
destroying  tendencies  of  our  fallen  humanity ;  as  well 
as  to  the  misery  and  misfortunes  of  our  ruined  situa- 
tion. Hence  whatever  anxious  bodings  may  crowd 
into  our  minds  either  respecting  ourselves  or  others, 
we  shall  do  well  now  and  evermore  to  commend  lx)tli 
each  other  and  ourselves  "  unto  God  and  the  word  of 
his  grace." 

Our  text  informs  us  why  we  shall  do  well  to  do  this. 
The  word  of  grace  contemplated,  relied  upon,  and 
cherished  in  the  heart,  is  able  to  produce  a  powerful 
effect  on  the  believer.     There  is  nothing  besides  God's 


15 

word  of  grace  which  is  able  to  ^^ huild  u])'  believer 3. 
This  apostle  felt  the  importance  cf  this  truth  when  he 
declared,  ''  I  am  determined  to  know  nothing  among 
you  save  Christ,  and  him  crucified."  Novelties  may 
amuse  and  please.  Philosophy  and  learning  may  in- 
struct. Metaphysics  and  abstrusities  may  have  their 
value  and  their  place.  Moral  disquisitions  may  sub- 
serve important  ends.  But  the  word  of  God's  grace 
alone  can  edify.  It  is  by  feeding  on  the  j^romises  of 
God ;  it  is  by  the  contemplation  of  the  gracious  aspect 
of  his  revelation ;  it  is.,  by  viewing  Jesus  set  forth  as 
he  is  as  our  Covenant,  Substitute,  Head  and  Surety; 
it  is  thus  and  thus  alone  that  believers  are  to  be 
built  up  in  knowledge,  love,  and  holiness. 

It  is  the  word  of  grace,  moreover,  which  through 
this  huilding  tip  is  to  give  to  the  believer  "  an  inheri- 
tance among  cdl  them  which  are  sanctified'^  And 
the  more  grace  we  apprehend  in  the  truth  and  pro- 
mises of  God,  the  more  clearly  shall  we  be  able  to 
view  that  blessed  portion  with  an  eye  of  faith,  and  the 
more  firmly  to  lay  hold  upon  it  with  the  grasp  of  faith 
in  eager  anticipations  of  delight.  It  is  when,  forgetful 
that  God's  word  to  us  is  now  a  word  of  grace,  we  look 
back  to  the  covenant  of  ivorhs,  that  we  become  dis- 
trustful of  God.  It  is  then  that  the  heavenly  inheri- 
tance seems  placed  forever  beyond  our  reach.  It  is 
then,  that  in  despair  of  something  better,  or  else  in  a 
partial  forgetfulness  of  what  aj^pears  so  distant,  we 
are  ready  to  grasp  eagerly  at  the  bubbles  and  phan- 


IG 

toms  of  this  world,  and  to  feel  dejected  and  forlorn  if 
we  find  tliem  to  be  nothing  else  than  air  and  vanity. 

God's  word  of  grace  not  only  proposes  but  (jives  us 
something  better  than  all  this  world  has  to  offer. 
The  communion  and  fellowship  of  saints  is  not  a 
dream,  the  idle  dream  of  an  enthusiast.  It  is  on  the 
contrary  more  than  aught  else  on  earth,  real,  substan- 
tial, and  permanent.  It  is  forever  to  increase.  Is 
there  not  reality  in  that  flow  of  gentle,  heartfelt  sym- 
pathy, too  seldom,  yet  sometimes  found  on  earth 
among  the  servants  of  Christ  ?  Is  there  not  heaven- 
born  rapture  ever  experienced  here  when  they  sing 
together  the  praises  of  the  Lamb  ?  Is  there  not  some- 
thing of  the  happiness  of  heaven  itself  where  hearts 
melt  down  and  flow  together  at  the  throne  of  grace  or 
around  the  memorials  of  our  dying  Lord  ?  The  Psalm- 
ist felt  that  even  in  this  imperfect  communion  of  saints, 
he  had  a  goodly  heritage.  But  what,  my  brethren, 
what  is  this  but  a  poor  foretaste  of  that  rich  and  abun- 
dant feast  which  the  word  of  grace  invites  us  to 
contemplate  and  to  possess?  •  Here  we  have  but 
glimpses,  there  we  shall  have  an  inheritance.  Here 
we  have  but  a  cluster  or  t^vo  of  the  luscious  fruits  of 
the  land  of  promise,  then  we  shall  possess  Canaan  it- 
self with  all  its  abundance. 

As  "  heirs  of  God,  and  joint-heirs  with  Jesus  Christ," 
the  people  of  God  shall  then  possess  "  an  inheritance 
among  all  them  that  are  sanctified."  Elessed  society  ! 
Here  on  earth  believers  are  at  best  encompassed  with 


17 

infirmities.  Defects  are  visible  in  the  brightest  Chris- 
tian characters.  None  of  them  are  as  yet  wholly 
sanctified.  Hence  must  arise  imperfections,  disquie- 
tudes, and  interruptions  in  their  fellowship.  They 
are  apt  to  misunderstand  each  other.  They  are  apt 
to  judge  harshly  one  of  another.  There  is  oftentimes 
too  much  of  a  worldly  spirit ;  too  much  of  a  selfish, 
uncharitable,  unforgiving  spirit  manifested.  Rarely 
indeed  is  one  Christian  heart  laid  warm  against  ano- 
ther, to  beat  along  with  it  in  lasting  and  vigorous 
accord.  Rarely  indeed  is  the  command  even  approx- 
imately obeyed  ''  to  love  one  another  with  a  pure 
heart  fervently."  But  how  different  my  hearers,  will 
it  be  in  that  heavenly  inheritance.  There  every 
saint  will  be  a  perfect  saint.  There  the  last  stain  of 
sin  will  be  removed  from  the  redeemed  soul,  and  it 
will  ajDpear  radiant  in  robes  made  white  in  the  blood 
of  the  Lamb.  There  worldliness  and  pride,  and  sen- 
suality and  passion  can  never  enter  to  mar  the  inti- 
macy and  harmony  of  their  blest  fellowship.  2  here, 
there  will  be  nothing  to  hinder  the  sweet  and  perpetr 
ual  flow  of  the  affections  from  each  to  all.  There  all 
hearts  will  be  full  of  holy  love,  and  all  will  beat  in 
perfect  unison  of  feeling  for  ever  and  for  ever. 

Let  us  now  look  a  little  farther,  and  we  shall  see 
the  special  object  for  which  more  directly  Paul  com- 
mended to  God  and  the  word  of  his  grace  the  Chris- 
tian friends  from  whom  he  was  about  to  separate. 
The  inheritance  which  that  word  of  grace  bestows 


18 

was  not  prepared  for  tlie  saints  of  Ephesus  alone,  or 
for  those  of  any  portion  of  the  church  of  Christ  alone. 
It  was  an  inheritance  "  among  all  tliein  which  are 
sanctified."     Thej  might  remain  in  E^^hesus  to  live 
and  to  die  there,  w^hile  Paul  "  bound  in  the  Spirit" 
might  go  to  Jerusalem  "not  knowing  the  things  that 
should  befall  him  there."     But  wdierever  they  lived 
or  died  ;  whatever  befell  them  living  ;>  or  whensoever 
they  left  the  earth,  there  was  one  certainty  of  pre-emi- 
nent importance,  to  wdiich   Paul  would  direct  their 
thoughts.    It  was  that  all  who  w^ere  redeemed  by  the 
blood  of  Christ,  and  sanctified  by  his  indwelling  Spirit, 
however  diverse  their  paths  might  seem  to  be,  were 
travelling  towards  the  very  same  point,  and  would 
one  day  share  the  same  inheritance  in  glory.     The 
hearts  which  bled  at  that  separation  as  they  accom- 
panied Paul  to  the  seaside  at   Miletus  and  saw  his 
ship  spread  sail  and  glide  away,  have  long  centuries 
ago  been  healed  by   a  re-union  in  the  city  of  God 
above,  where  tears  and  trials  arc  unknown.     And 
now  as  we  look  back  over  the  waste  of  eighteen  cen- 
turies,  how  brief  seems  to  have  been  their  separation, 
and  how  lastmg  has  been  their  subsequent  compan- 
ionship.    And    so,    my  hearers,   could  we  transport 
ourselves   forward   over  eighteen  centuries  to  come, 
and  much  more  could  Ave  place  ourselves  somewhere 
in  the  depths  of  that  waiting  and  approaching  eternity, 
where  centuries  cannot  be  counted,  and  thence  look 
back  on  the  changes  and  the   trials  of  these  passing 


19 


lives,  liow  slight  and  transient  would  their  griefs  seem 
to  be.     The  regret  with  which  those  parted  who  had 
been  accustomed  to  enjoy  each  other's  friendly  gree1> 
ings  and  Christian  offices  of  kindness  will  have  b^en 
long  forgotten  in  the  flight  of  time.     Even  th«  unut- 
terable pang  with  which  a  surviving  Christian  has 
laid  in  the  earth  the  beloved  form  from  which  the 
spirit>ad  gone  up  to  Heaven,  will  have  been  effaced 
by  the  renewal  of  a  purer,  more  lasting,   and  more 
blissful   eompanions'iip   than   was   ever   enjoyed  on 
earth.     In  that  far-off  retrospect,  the  great  question 
will  not  be,  what  was  agreeable,  or  what  was  j^infui 
here  on  earth,  but— was  that  done  in  our  lifetime,  by 
which  God  was  most  largely  glorified— by  which  the 
kingdom  of  Jesus  Christ  was  best  promoted  ?     For  on 
this,  my  hearers,  will  depend  the  extent  and  excel- 
lence of  that  inheritance  which  each  believer  will 
possess  on  high  forever. 

You  have  been  able,  I  trust,  from  what  has  been 
already  said,  to  perceive  why  I  should  this  day  with 
a  peculiar  earnestness  become  an  humble  imitator  of 
the  great  apostle  to  the  Gentiles,  in  commending  you 
unto  God  and  the  word  of  his  grace.  May  he  in  infi- 
nite mercy  grant  that  through  it  you  may  every  one 
be  built  up,  and  obtain  an  inheritance  among  all  them 
which  are  sanctified. 

It  is  this  day  precisely  four  years,  since,  in  obe^ 
dience  to  your  call,  I  began  to  labour  among  you  as 
your  minister.     I  was  not  wholly  a  stranger  to  the 


20 

tlifficulties  and  to  the  responsibilities  of  the  charge  I 
had  assumed,  and  *'  I  was  with  you  in  weakness,  and 
in  fear,  and  in  much  trembling."  In  the  sight  of 
God,  I  feel  most  painfully  this  day,  that  all  my  la- 
bours have  been  defective  and  mixed  with  evil.  Yet 
you  have  borne  most  kindly  with  my  deficiencies,  and 
co-operated  when  your  help  was  needed  in  every  good 
work.  We  all  have  reason  to  praise  God  for  the  un- 
common measure  of  concord  and  fraternal  love  which 
has  prevailed  throughout  the  church  within  these 
years.  But  now,  in  the  providence  of  God,  I  stand 
before  you  for  the  last  time,  as  your  pastor  and  your 
minister.  The  same  call  of  duty  which  brought  me 
hither,  seems  now  to  take  me  elsewhere.  And  in 
these  solemn  circumstances,  a  host  of  thoughts  arise, 
which  I  would  gladly  utter.  Fain  would  I  take  you 
each  one  by  the  hand,  and  give  to  each  a  personal  and 
earnest  word  of  serious  advice.  But  as  this  is  impos- 
sible, let  me  close  as  briefly  as  I  can,  with  a  few  words 
of  a  more  general  nature. 

My  Christian  hearers,  I  can  only  reiterate  to  you 
the  word  of  exhortation  which  has  been  already  so 
often  given.  In  the  first  place  let  me  say  to  you — 
stmicl  fast  hy  the  cross  of  Christ.  In  Christ  "  are  hid 
all  the  treasures  of  wisdom  and  knowledge."  He  is 
made  of  God  unto  us,  wisdom,  and  righteousness  and 
santification  and  redemption.  He  is  the  source  of  all 
spiritual  life.  He  is  the  Author  and  Finisher  of  our 
laith.     Amidst  all  the  cares  and  temptations,  the  jar- 


21 

rings  and  changes  of  this  mortal  state,  ever,  oh  ever,, 
cleave  close  unto  a  Saviour  crucified  and  glorified  for 
your  redemption. 

In  the  second  place,  let  me  say,  permit  nothing  to 
hinder  the  daily  maintenance  of  communion  between 
God  and  your  soul.  God  is  the  overflowing  spring. 
Devout  meditation  and  daily  prayer  are  the  channel 
through  which  the  outpoured  abundance  of  his  mercy 
is  to  reach  your  soul.  Suffer  not  your  domestic  anx- 
ieties or  your  public  duties,  the  cares  of  this  world  or 
the  deceitfulness  of  riches,  ever  to  hinder  you  from 
maintaining  your  communion  with  your  Heavenly 
Father.  They  and  they  only  shall  mount  up  on 
wings  as  eagles,  who  wait  constantly  on  God. 

In  the  third  place,  let  your  hearts  be  set  on  promo- 
ting the  prosperity  of  Zion.  When  you  look  back 
from  eternity  on  lime,  nothing  among  all  you  have 
done  or  can  do  here  en  earth  will  afford  you  so  much 
delight  in  the  review  as  the  cares  and  toils  and  self- 
denials  you  shall  have  endured  for  Christ's  cause  and 
kingdom.  And  permit  me  in  view  of  your  present 
circumstances  to  say — study  the  things  which  make 
for  peace.  In  all  the  future  arrangements  you  may 
propose,  and  in  all  the  future  plans  you  may  adopt, 
let  a  spirit  of  kindly  concession  and  fraternal  love  be 
cherished.  Above  all,  "pray  for  the  peace  of  Jerusa- 
lem, for  they  shall  prosper  that  love  her." 

Once  more,  *'  be  not  slothful,  but  followers  of  them 
who  through  faith  and  patience  inherit  the  promises."^ 


22 

Noble  men  and  noble  women ;  burning  and  shining 
lights;  eminent  servants  of  God  in  their  day  and 
generation,  have  occupied  these  seats  and  worshipped 
in  this  sanctuary.  Among  them  you  can  remember 
respected  neighbors,  the  venerated  friends  of  your 
childhood,  and  many  of  your  own  beloved  parents. 
They  have  gone  up  to  join  the  great  cloud  of  wit- 
nesses that  are  now  bending  from  on  high  to  watch 
your  progress.  How  many,  how  many  such  have 
gone  within  these  last  four  years.  Beloved  Christian 
hearers,  when  you  come  to  receive  an  inheritance 
among  all  those  sanctified  ones,  may  you  not  have 
cause  to  be  ashamed  of  the  dimness  of  your  crown ; 
of  the  insignificance  of  your  reward. 

To  those  of  you  who  have  been  added  to  this 
church  by  a  profession  of  faith  during  my  ministry 
among  you,  I  feel  bound  by  a  tie  of  peculiar  strength 
and  tenderness.  Paul  himself  felt  the  power  of  this 
tie.  Writing  to  the  Thessalonian  converts,  he  exclaims, 
"  What  is  our  hope,  or  joy,  or  crown  of  rejoicing  ? 
Are  not  even  ye  in  the  presence  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  at  his  coming  ?  For  ye  are  our  glory  and  joy." 
Gladly  would  I  say  many  things  to  such,  but  they 
must  all  be  summed  up  in  these  feAV  words.  Dear 
hearers,  let  nothing  tempt  yoM  to  turn  back  to  the  vain 
and  perishing  world  that  you  have  left.  Remem- 
ber Lot's  wife.  Fight  the  good  fight  of  faith.  Lay: 
hold  upon  eternal  life.  Give  no  place  to  the  devil. 
Keep  your  eye  fixed  upon  a    heavenly  crown.     And 


23 

above  all,  day  by  day,  lean  for  all  needed  help  and 
strength  upon  the  grace  that  is  in  Christ  your  Lord. 
Fail  not  ye,  fail  not  ye  to  be  found  at  the  last  great 
day  on  the  right  hand  of  Christ  your  judge,  that  with 
him  and  all  his  saints  you  may  enter  into  glory. 

But  there  is  yet,  alas !  a  large  and  imjDortant  por- 
tion of  this  congregation  who  are  not  comprehended 
in  either  of  the  classes  yet  addressed.  My  impenitent 
hearers,  young  and  old,  if  there  has  been  aught  which 
might  have  been  done  to  win   you  unto  Christ  and 
Heaven,  which  has  been  left  undone,  I  pray  you  to 
forgive  it.     Yet  it  has  been  my  heart's  desire  and 
prayer,  that  you  might  be  saved.     At  earlv  mornino- 
and  in  midnight  hours  when  you  were  wrapped  in 
sleep,  I  have  toiled  to  gather  arguments  and  frame 
appeals  which  might  win  you  to  embrace  the  offer  of 
salvation.     We  may  unite  this  day  in  praising  God 
for  the  rich  and  undeserved  blessings  which  he  has 
bestowed  upon  those  efforts.     Yet  many  of  you,  oh 
how  many !  have  madly  rushed  onward  through  all 
the  barriers  of  prayers  and  sermons,  and  spiritual  in- 
fluences, and  are  yet  found  to-day  travelling  the  road 
towards  everlasting  woe.     For  four  years  have  I  been 
made  God's  mouthpiece  in  warning  you,  my  impeni- 
tent hearer,  of  the  coming  wrath,  and  in  inviting  yon 
to  accept  of  free  salvation  through  the  blood  of  Christ. 
And  with  what  effect  ?  There  are  youth  among  you  who 
are  rushing  into  worldliness,  and  sensuality,  and  some 
even  into  vice,  as  the  horse  rusheth  to  the  battle. 


24 

There  are  middle-aged  persons  among'  yon,  who  sre 
gliding  towards  eternity  with  their  hearts  yet  madly 
set  upon  this  world,  and  the  influence  of  a  procrasti- 
nating spirit  paralysing  every  effort  put  forth  for 
their  good.  There  are  even  aged  persons  among  you 
whose  silvered  hairs  betoken  that  they  will  soon  go 
down  into  the  darkness  of  the  grave,  while  they  are 
giving  not  the  first  reasonable  evidence  that  they  are 
striving  to  gain  heaven.  And  for  the  fulfilment  of 
what  wise  purpose  of  God  towards  such  as  you^  0  fel- 
low sinner,  have  I  been  sent  to  minister  these  four 
years  past  ?  Was  it  that  your  heart,  like  steel,  might 
be  only  hardened  by  the  fire  that  should  have  melted 
it  ?  Was  it  that  as  a  vessel  of  God's  awful  wrath 
you  might  only  become  more  thoroughly  fitted  to  de- 
struction ?  Was  it  only  in  order  that>  amidst  the 
fearful  scenes  of  the  judgment-day,  when  God  shall 
say  to  yc  u  in  thunder-tones,  "  I  have  called  and  j& 
refused,  I  have  stretched  out  my  hand  and  ye  regar- 
ded not,  now  will  I  mock  when  your  fear  cometh  as 
desolation,  and  your  destruction  cometh  as  a  whirl- 
wind,"— was  it  only  that  I  should  be  there  summoned 
as  a  witness  against  you,  to  testify  that  God  did  call 
often  and  loudly  to  you,  and  that  his  hand  ivas 
stretched  out  in  rich  mercy  and  with  great  long-suf- 
fering towards  you  ? 

My  impenitent  hearer,  this  is  my  last,  my  faiewell 
entreaty  with  you  as  your  pastor.  "Seek  ye  the 
Lord  while  he  may  be  found,  call  ye  upon  him  while 
he  is  near."  And  this  is  my  parting  and  solemn  de- 
claration as  the  ambassador  of  Christ  to  you,  "  It  is  a 
faithful  saying  and  worthy  of  all  acceptation,  that 
Christ  Jesus  came  into  the  world  to  save  sinners" — 
yes,  to  save  just  smIi  as  you. 


i^l^■Mng^^^^ 

DATE  DUE 

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GAYLORD 

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